KristyJane

I'm going to be a new aunt today!

2012-01-18T10:32:00.000+09:30

As I write this my sister is being induced. I so wish I was there with her.
I was their for the birth of her second girl and it was such a great experience.

This will be her third baby. Above is my 2 nieces Tilly and Bella. This shot was taken in March 2011.
My sister had been on the phone and could hear the girls giggling, she didn't take much notice, the
thought was at least their not fighting. Anyway she could still hear them giggling a few minutes later
and thought she should check on them. This is what she found! Tilly decided that Bella needed
sunburn cream before she went out to play. LOL. What a caring sister....

Love this shot!

Anyway good luck today Emma and Gus. I know the sex is a surprise, but whatever it may be
as long as it is healthy. You guys make beautiful babies!

Apron = Love

2012-01-18T08:49:00.000+09:30

Wikipedia says - An apron is an outer protective garment that covers primarily the front of the body. It may be worn for hygienic reasons as well as in order to protect clothes from wear and tear.

I love aprons! There are so many pretty ones around these days. A friend of mine sent me an email on aprons yesterday that I would love to share.

THE APRON

(Notice that a "Medium" is a size 14 - 16)

Remember making an apron in Home Ec? Read below:

The History of 'APRONS'
I don't think our kids
Know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing
Hot pans from the oven.
It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids..
And when the weather was cold Grandma wrapped it around her arms.
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow,
Bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.
After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.....
In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.
Send this to those who would know (and love) the story about Grandma's aprons.

REMEMBER:
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill To thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.
I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love...

If you are interested in making an apron Tipjunkie has a great post
with links to 50 free apron patterns.

Yummiest Chocolate Chip Biscuits

2012-01-17T20:44:00.001+09:30

December Challenge attempt was these Choc Chip Biscuits

The recipe was so easy and will be made forever more in this house.
Todd who is the big choc chip biscuit eater in this family has given them the big Thumbs up!

Best-Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

barely adapted from Anna Olson, Food Network Canada
Ingredients:
3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. bittersweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy and light in color. Add egg and vanilla and blend in.
3. Mix in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chunks.
4. Using a standard-sized cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough onto a prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until barely golden brown around the edges. (The tops will not brown, but do NOT cook longer than ten minutes.)
5. Let cool, on the sheet, on a wire rack for five minutes. Remove from baking sheet and let cool completely. Makes approximately 3 dozen. Try not to eat them all.

Pinterest original site

for Biscuit recipe

was Apple A Day.

November Pinterest Challenge

2012-01-12T08:01:00.001+09:30

Well as you can see, the blogging has been on the backburner over the Christmas period, due to lack of time. The monthly pinterest challenge wasn’t blogged about but it was done. So to bring up to date here is my November pinterest challenge…………..

Peanut Butter and Jam (or Jelly to the Americans) Cupcakes

Now these cakes were sooooo rich, but yummy. I think if I made them again I would just leave enough for 1 helping then freeze the rest and bring out in a week or so as they are not something that everyone kept going back to as they were so heavy and rich. I gave the rest of ours to friends and their kids loved them!

I sourced the recipe from the site The Girl Who Ate Everything, whose original source was from the site How to Eat A Cupcake.

Now as usual their photo and my photo are sooooo different that if I wasn’t telling you they were the same cupcake (they are I promise) you would not know. Actually after looking at the original photo’s I noticed she has made hers in the little cupcake liners where I used the large muffin cake liners, so that’s probably why we found ours so rich they were too much cake in one eating! So note to self – when making these again use the smaller liners.

My icing is very different looking as well, I think the heat here really affected the outcome. But like I say they were very yummy and I will make them again.

Peanut Butter Cupcakes

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temp
1 cup smooth or crunchy peanut butter
1 1/3 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
strawberry or grape jelly

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Insert 24 liners into a medium cupcake pan.

2. In a large bowl cream together the butter, peanut butter, and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time. Beat well. Mix in the vanilla.

3. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.

4. Add the dry ingredients to creamed mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix well.

5. Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Do not overbake! Cool cupcakes in the pan. Once cupcakes are cooled you can either pipe the jelly into the center using a decorating tip or just use an apple corer to take out the center of the cupcake and fill with 1-2 teaspoons of jelly. Decorate with frosting below.

Peanut Butter Frosting

3/4 cup smooth
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temp
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
3 tablespoons milk
mini NutterButter cookies for garnish

Combine the peanut butter, butter, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer beat until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Add the confectioners sugar along with the milk, and beat until well combined. Pipe frosting onto cupcakes using a decorating tip or a ziploc baggie filled with frosting with the corner cut off. Top with a teaspoon of jelly and garnish with NutterButter mini cookies.

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year To All

2012-01-11T11:35:00.000+09:30

Well I hope everyone had a Great

Christmas, I know we did.

We had friends fly up from

Pittsworth near Toowoomba in QLD

to spend a couple of weeks with us.

It was so great catching up with the Glasgows

who were good friends of ours when we all

lived in Karumba in the Gulf of Carpentaria

in North Queensland.

Jim worked with my husband on a couple

of occasions, Cheryl taught both of my

boys at some stage and our boys are

all around the same age and all used to

hang together. Over the years

we have all kept in touch,

especially Will and Jay and I

have posted of escapades from these

pair in the past.

Anyway we split our holidays between

Koolpinyah and the block at Dundee Beach.

Here is our old wagon loaded no jokes to the roof in the back

and backseat with a space left to fit 2 large dogs (just),

then loaded the trailer with the quads and swags.

On top of this Jim's car was loaded fully and then

my wagon Cheryl and I filled

with Groceries on the way out of town!

On top of that Margaret turned up with

her little car filled to the roof with yummy

goodies and Christine and Mark

turned up with Phoebe (Christine's car)

actually more a mini bus filled with a Queen Bed

I bought and lots of alcohol!!!!!

So we were pretty prepared for the 4 1/2 days

we were spending there and I'm pretty sure

we would have had enough to last us for

a longer period if the so called predicted cyclone

had hit us which thankfully it didn't! There

was a couple of indepth conversations as

to where we should go if a cyclone hit and it

was decided one of the shipping containers would be the go.

All I could picture was one of these being picked up

in the air and flying around with 12 of us inside.

I think I've been watching too many twister movies!

Here's the Glasgow's

Tyger, Sam, Cheryl, William and Jim

We hadn't seen them since end of 2006 but it was like we had seen them yesterday.

Jim looked exactly the same, boys were so much bigger and Cheryl so much

smaller (well done Cheryl you are an inspiration!) but apart from that so much the

same. They are the sort of friends that just fit in and we really

enjoyed their company!

Here's us on Christmas day.

John reckons Jay looks nothing like him. But they say a

picture tells the story.

We have some really great neighbours at the block, and dropping cooked crabs off for us

on a daily basis was part of our Christmas. This view was a

common occurance and I just had to get a photo of all

chowing down on Crab claws.

Fishing was a daily occurance but they were in short supply.

We had to land fish as with the cyclone hanging around

the sea was a bit rough and dirty for the boat.

The boys got out over the new year period but

fish were in short supply, not sure whether it

was still run off from the cyclone, tides or what.

They caught enough for a feed which was good.

That's Todd above catching live bait with the bait net.

Here is the spot we spent Christmas Eve fishing.

And that is my gorgous husband going for a walk.

This is the mouth of a creek aqnd he is walking towards the

beach and sea.

So as you can see we had a ball with too much

alchohol drunk and toooooo much

food eaten.

Now everyone is gone including my husband who has

headed to Karumba to do work on our

house with Jay.

Todd and I are left here to caretake.

I am trying to find myself a new job and the enthusiasm to

Clean my house, really need to get myself organised

so New Year Resolutions.........

Ok here it is........

2011-10-26T17:18:00.000+09:30

Well here is the lemon meringue cupcake.

Terrible, terrible photo but they tasted oh

so good! We had visitors who were

hanging to eat them, so the photo was

very quick.

Now it doesn't look so great, my oven

only cooks on high, so I was hard

pressed to be able to get the meringue

to cook through without the tip

burning :-(

And I should have cut one in half

to show the lemon butter, but like

I say people were waiting.

I made 14 cup cakes and an

apple slice.

Left over about 3 pieces of

slice and 2 cupcakes, between

8 people. So I'd say the verdict

was they were pretty yummy!

Now to the recipe.

The only thing the same in

the recipe from kokken 69

was the meringue.

I used my basic cupcake recipe

that I use all the time.

Then I used Woolworths homebrand

Lemon Spread.

Followed by Kokken 69's meringue

on top.

Keep an eye out over the weekend

and I will post my basic cupcake

recipe which I have been

using for over 20 years.

So that's the October Pinsperation

Done & Dusted!

Oreo Cheesecake

2011-10-26T07:25:00.000+09:30

This is not my photo, this photo and recipe came
from 6 sisters blog, which is a blog that is put
together by 6 sisters as a way of keeping in
touch with each other. I came across this
recipe on Pinterest.

Bec (Todd's Girlfriend, who loves Oreo's) and
I made this on the weekend as a treat for Bec
before she heads back to Rocky. John and I
had a sliver each then Bec and Todd ate the
rest over the weekend. Because I headed off
for the weekend I missed out on a photo, but
I can reccommend this recipe it was easy and
delicious. I have to admit though I am more
a fan of the non-baked cheesecake, but it is
good to come out of our comfort zone now and
then!

CRUST:

1 (1 pound) package Oreo cookies

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

FILLING:

3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature I used a 250g pkt
3/4 cup granulated white sugar castor sugar

3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 large eggs, at room temperature

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a 9 x 13-inch pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides (I spray mine with cooking spray).

2. Make the crust: Place 28 Oreos (I just put the whole pkt in) in a food processor and process until finely ground. Pour into a large bowl, add the melted butter, and stir with a flexible spatula until all crumbs are moistened. Place the cookie-crumb mixture in the lined pan and, using your fingers, press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom. Bake 10 minutes, then remove to a wire cooling rack (leave the oven on) while you make the filling. Snap the remaining Oreos in half, put them in the food processor, and turn on and off quickly a few times, just until the cookies are roughly chopped.

3. Make the filling: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese and sugar until well blended, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a flexible spatula and beat again until uniform. Beat in sour cream, vanilla and salt. Scrape down the bowl and mix again. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. After beating in the last egg, scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and beat one more time, to make sure the mixture is fully combined. Stir in chopped Oreos with the same spatula.

4. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the baked cookie crust, smooth the top with the spatula, and bake for 40 minutes, until the filling is set around the edges but still slightly wobbly in the center when you gently shake the pan. Remove the pan to a wire rack to cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. When cool, cover it with foil and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 3 hours. (I chill mine overnight)

5. To cut, use the foil overhang to lift the cheesecake out of the pan and place on a large cutting board. Use a sharp chef's knife to cut the cheesecake into bars, rinsing off the knife with hot water and wiping it dry between each cut. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

YUMMY!

Pinsperation for October

2011-10-24T17:49:00.000+09:30

Well I just realised I have to do my pinsperation

for October!

Now I was going to attempt something

crafty but the month has gone so QUICK!

So I thought I would go another cooking insperation, and have chosen the following:

Lemon Meringue Patty Cakes - OMG!

The above photo and recipe was taken

off Pinterest and originated at

kokken69 blogspot.

So Emma that's my inspiration

for October. Does anyone

else want to join in?

I still have a couple of days left

in the month on the weekend so

will see how I'm going for time

and I may also pick something crafty

to try and get done :-)

My sisters pinterest attempt....

2011-10-02T09:22:00.000+09:30

Well I called for others to link their pinsperations and this is what my sister decided upon -

These beautiful cupcakes you can find over at sweetapolita.

http://sweetapolita.com/2011/08/licorice-delight-vanilla-almond-anise-cupcakes/

Here is my sisters attempt Emma made vanilla cupcakes with buttercream icing and
iced them the same. Don't they look great!

Emma is a professional photographer head over to her new blog Beaumont Photography for a look at some of her work.

My Pinterest attempt..........................

2011-10-02T08:40:00.000+09:30

Well here is my attempt. It doesn't look as stunning as the eg. below, but John is pretty happy with
the taste! Me I found it waaaayyyy to sweet, you only need a tiny square with a cup of coffee.
Over again I would halve the mint filling as it is very thick and as I say very sweet.

I wouldn't mind trying it again with their base, mine wasn't too bad but I found it to be a bit hard,
not sure if it's because my gas oven here will only cook on full bore or whether it's because what
I usually use it for has a fruit filling put on it and it's rebaked which softens it up again.

Here is the base I used:
1 pkt homebrand chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup coconut
4 tablespoons melted butter

Worth a try and will try again with a brownie or choc slice base. Would be good with a coffee after dinner!

My first pinspiration is.................

2011-09-23T13:48:00.002+09:30

This beautiful looking Mint Slice from

sisterstuff blogspot. They actually call

it a mint brownie,

I'm going to change it a little. I make an apple

slice that uses a pkt cake mix in the base, which

is verry yummy, so I thought I would give

this a try using a pkt chocolate cake mix.

Sooo I will make this this weekend and post

back to you with how it went......

PINSPERATION

2011-09-23T11:09:00.000+09:30

Soooo now I've introduced those of you who weren't aware of pinterest to it, here is the next step.

I was discussing with my sister the other day (who introduced me to pinterest) that we do a hell of a lot of pinning but not much of anything else.

So we decided to set a monthly challenge. We originally thought fortnightly but the way our lives are so busy lately thought monthly better, than this gives us the option that if we have the time to do something else we will.

So that is my challenge to you!

Message me with a link to what you have picked to make/do from your pinterest board this month, when it is completed email me a photo of the finished product.

MMmmmm (Kristy deep in thought here). Will have a look through my boards and get back to you with what I have chosen :-)

2011-09-22T21:14:00.002+09:30

Have you heard of this. Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. You sign up for an account and open

your own pinboards, then as you see things on Pinterest or anywhere else on the internet you

can pin it to your board. This means you can find it at anytime and it also notes the original

destination it came from.

But I'm warning you................

IT IS SO FRICKIN ADDICTIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

(SOURCE)

Here is the main site, you'll need to join or be invited to join.

http://pinterest.com/all/

Once you join here is the link to my page and as you can see I am very addicted~

http://pinterest.com/kristyjane/

Here is what they say on the main page:

What is Pinterest?

Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard.

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests. To get started, request an invite.

PINTEREST Mission

Our goal is to connect everyone in the world through the 'things' they find interesting. We think that a favorite book, toy, or recipe can reveal a common link between two people. With millions of new pins added every week, Pinterest is connecting people all over the world based on shared tastes and interests.

or heres an explanation I find on Pinterest

(SOURCE)

REMEMBER

YOU HAVE BEEN

WARNED......

Over a month since I posted....

2011-09-22T09:09:00.000+09:30

Well it's just been over a month between posts. In that time I have had my plaster taken off. My foot has healed really well and I am now employed with John on the station. This has been a bit exhausting for me as though my last job was very mentally tiring, exercise was non-existent, then in plaster for nearly 15 weeks! I have been finding the days really long as you still need to get done around the house what you normally do and be out doing physical work all day. John's been great with this by giving me a bit of extra time to do that sort of stuff, but I have to admit being unfit as I am I have been exhausted at the end of each day.

Needless to say I have done NO craft and only cook meals, nothing exciting or special.

We have got Todd also employed here now and Jay home on holidays, which is great but the cooking and washing is doubled.

John and the boys have headed to Dundee for 4 days break and to get some fishing done, I've opted out this trip, I was so looking for some me time, plus I am hand feeding a calf at the moment and it saves taking the dogs. I am actually excited to just sleep in, cook for no one, catch up on all the washing and house work, get some baking done and in the freezer, catch up on my blog :-) , catch up on my card swaps, and get some sewing and card making done..........Mmmm sounds so relaxing :-)

I am meeting Chrissie in town on Saturday for a massage and she's coming home with me for a girlies night and then we are off to the markets on Sunday for brekky and a look, which will be lovely.

I have been slack with the photo taking but will have to start taking a camera with me as I see some great sites. Keep an eye out over the next couple of days cause like I said I'll be updating the blog!

Mmmmm Pikelets - Gluten Free as well.

2011-08-18T10:23:00.002+09:30

I LOVE PIKELETS!

Especially with strawberry jam and cream.

I found this recipe, which is so easy, I made 2 batches

one using gluten free flour and one using normal flour.

I was amazed how beautiful they come up using the SR Flour,

normally it is hard to get a rise out of any food using this flour,

but these came up perfect.

I ended up making extra and freezing them so I could just

grab them and zapp them in the microwave when needed.

Recipe below.

PIKELETS

1 cup self-raising flour

2 tablespoons caster sugar

1 egg, beaten lightly

3/4 cup (180ml) milk, approximately

Combine flour and sugar in medium bowl, gradually whisk in egg and enough milk to make a thick, smooth batter. Drop dessertspoons of mixture into greased heavy-base pan; cook until bubbles begin to appear on surface of pikelet, turn, brown other side.

Enjoy!

Morning all

2011-08-18T08:57:00.000+09:30

Apart from the ATC swaps I am in, it has been so long since I made a card.

I bought this set Make a Monster off SU earlier in the year as it really appealed to me,

it is so cute and having 2 boys it seemed to grab me.

I wanted to make a card out of it for a "client" of mine, that

has just ordered some SU products off me, to thank her

for her order. She has 2 girls so it made me think out

of the box.

So here it is done in girly colours, with a big monster bite

at the end of the patterned paper and googly eyes :-).

The front of the card say's Happy Birthday

and is followed by human on the inside.....

Thanks for looking.

Hope everyone has a great day. Check back later for a great easy recipe.

Not another Jewicide!

2011-08-16T11:01:00.000+09:30

We had a great weekend at the block, we never stopped the whole time but

it was really relaxing.

John got his new door welded up and I painted it, we just have to put the

iron on the front of it next trip and then we'll be able to leave the boat

on our block.

We spent all day Saturday doing this as looked like it might have been

a bit windy on the water. We were supposed to have a day off

on Friday and head up to the Perrons and overnight on the boat

but due to a fire here John ended up backburning most of

Thursday night and needed to keep an eye on it on Friday so

we gave it a miss, will be better fishing in September anyway.

We got out fishing on Sunday morning.

Got the boat in the water by 8am (John slept in :-)

Had both of these in the boat by 9am! Time to go home.....

A Beautiful Jew Fish

Then about 15 mins later.........

You got him..............................

Yeah Baby!!!!!!!

Thanks to the great and skilled person on the net, we landed

this beauty!

LOL none of me. I was so pleased for John, but jealous into

the bargain I so wanted a big fish! We caught a lot more but after

those two we just threw them back, a few fingermark, grunter

of course Rock Cod and lots of stripies. We were home by 2pm.

Talking about throwing them back.......

We had this dolphin come up beside the boat and stuck with us most of the day, we think that is why a lot

of the bigger fish stopped bighting, I think he spooked them. He had the top of his fin missing and a bit

out of his lower back and tail poor thing. They were healed so it looks like it had it for some time.

Didn't seem to worry it, but it was alone, which is strange and seemed to have to come up for air

quite a bit. We were throwing our smaller fish to it, which it would just race up and grab.

So anyway their is a bit of eye candy for all the fishos out there, and it is so nice to have

the freezer full of fish. (Even if we have given a lot away already).

Can't wait for the next trip.

Check this out!

2011-08-12T08:07:00.001+09:30

Don't you just love this tyre cover?

It is beautiful and I know if I was following their van, this would certainly bring a smile to my face!

Check out photo's of the tyre cover and others of Kate and her families travels over at

Foxs Lane. Kate has a very understanding husband who "helps" put her lace

decorations up! Kate has done their van up so pretty.

I can't see John being so agreeable to so much prettiness if we had a caravan, but I think

in Kates family the girls outnumber the boys, where in ours it's just little

old me that likes the pretty stuff.

Thanks for sharing Kate and enjoy the rest of your trip.

My Favourite Biscuit Recipe

2011-08-11T20:32:00.000+09:30

I Lurrrrv this recipe. I have used this recipe for years. The best thing about it is you can

do what you like with it. This recipes doubles, triples etc. perfectly.

Another good thing about it is you can freeze it, either in dough mode (wrapped in glad wrap)

or biscuits ready made.

You are only limited by your imagination.

BASIC BISCUIT RECIPE

5 Tablespoons butter or margarine

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 egg

1 3/4's cup SR Flour

The original recipe says to beat butter and sugar, then add vanilla essence and eggs then your SR flour.

Me - I throw the whole lot in together and beat!

If it is a small batch I do it in the food processor.

When it is all mixed do what you would like to do with it.

These are choccy rocks. This time I made it a little different by adding one of the large

white choc chips in the middle and rolled the dough around it.

Other wise normally I crush up about a cup of cornflakes and add a cup of mixed fruit,

some don't like mixed fruit so just add sultanas, then if like add little choc chips.

Bake until cooked

Good old jam drops! Roll the dough into a ball, place on tray and then press a whole

in the centre with your finger. Fill with jam of choice and bake until cooked.

This one, roll the mix into a ball, then I flatten it with the base of a glass.

Place in oven and cook.

When cooked let cool then cover with glace icing and dip in hundreds and thousands.

Like I say you are only limited by your imagination.

Add cocoa and make chocolate, add nuts, coconut, drizzled chocolate over the finished biscuit, add

ginger powder, add cinnamon, add dry fruit like apricots (with white choc chips).

Do you have any ideas for me?

P.S. This is also great as a pie base or a slice base.

Catching Crocs

2011-08-03T10:32:00.000+09:30

Koolpinyah has a permit to catch crocodiles that are a

nuisance to cattle. These crocs are relocated to Crocodilus Park

in Darwin. If they are suitable they are used for breeding, if not

they are used for meat and skins.

About the 3rd week that we started here this croc was caught in a tiny little dam.

The photos aren't great as I had a plaster on and was on crutches, then my battery ran out.

The photo above are the men ontop of the cage. The men pull the nose up and tape it shut.

The crocodile is then dragged a little bit out of the trap and kept pinned with the gate.

Remember it's nose is taped shut and it also has a rope around it's nose as well.

They then tape a hessian bag over the crocs eyes, apparently if the croc can't see

it settles right down.

The croc is then pulled the remainder of the way out and it's legs tied. It is then put on

the back of a truck and taken off to the the croc farm where it is weighed and measured.

This croc was just under 4 metres, but the tip was missing off the end of it's tail

so they said it would have easily been 4 metres.

There was actually a shot of me on the croc taken, so when I get it I'll post it.

Hope everyone has a great day.

Say Goodbye............

2011-08-02T15:43:00.000+09:30

It's time to say goodbye! Hundreds of products from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue are retiring, and now is the time for you to get them before they're gone.

You can access the list here. You have until the 31st August to place your order, but from past experience I would not leave it that late as products go fast. Some products have great discounts on them!

The new catalogue is out on the 1st September. Pretty exciting hey!

Please contact me if you would like any products ordered.

Cheers,
Kristy

DId I say off our front verandah!

2011-07-30T15:45:00.000+09:30

This is the view off our verandah at sunset. It is so nice to sit out in the arv and have a drink.

Now you may have noticed the talk on the move so I figured I needed a new look

for the blog. Do you like it? I wanted something a little less busy.

Is the writing easy to understand or should I go with a simpler text?

Please let me know.

Anyway I am heading back to my craft room to start making a card!

Shock I know, enjoy the rest of your afternoon and thanks for

coming over for a look.

Off our front Verandah

2011-07-30T13:43:00.001+09:30

Sitting having lunch the other day and the birds at the lagoon

out the front of our house were going ballistic! When

we looked out there were 3 buffalo running across the dirt

ledge on the lagoon. You can't see the bull in this shot he was

back a little. They tried prawn farming in the dam at some

stage so there is this division going across the front of the

lagoon. We think maybe a croc had a go at them near the

beginning and forward was the only way they could go, so

they were very nervous with the whole idea of it and were

going flat!

Here they are a bit closer, the cow looks to be in calf and she

is followed by her weiner calf.

So that's off our front verandah!

We have moved!

2011-07-29T07:54:00.000+09:30

And I tell you this picture wasn't too far off the mark.

Well I broke my foot a couple of weeks before we were

due to leave so that made things very interesting.

John's cousin Christine offered to come help me

and was a godsend, I don't think I would still be married

if it weren't for her!

We have had a bit of a seachange or more like

citychange! We put a lot of thought into our

decision and just decided with the amount of

stress that was thrown at us from many directions

and the distance you needed to travel for any downtime

was just too much. We knew that our health was

suffering and decided we didn't want to keep

going with that for the sake of money!

So we made the move!

We are still on a station but only about 45km's

out of Darwin. And only 1 1/2 hrs from

our block at Dundee Beach.

So we are settling in and making a new home.

John is full on as things are a bit run down

but is really enjoying it, as NO PRESSURE

at all. Me - well I have been a bit

slack, I think the broken foot and the shift

and going from full time work with a lot thrown at you

to none, has been a bit of a shock to the system, and

mentally it has really taken me some time to

get going again. I am slowly getting the house

in order (being in plaster has made it hard) and

slowly working through the business course I am

doing but apart from a card swap have really been

slack on the crafting front, but in the last few days have

been finding stuff out of boxes and ready to get into it

again.

So that's the latest so far will try and keep things

more up to date and start blogging a bit more, when

my intermittant internet will let me on!

Hope everyone has a great weekend we are in for a long

weekend here as Picnic day holiday on Monday :-)

For everyone with littlies....

2011-05-17T08:30:00.002+09:30

Well my boys are well past this but there are some great

printables on the Disney site that will keep your little ones

busy for hours. Go to the site and check it out.

I have another recipe book download for you.

2011-05-17T08:12:00.002+09:30

I have a link here to the Del Monte cookbook. I think Del Monte

may be American and not sure if we stock them in Australia, but

will check out next time I am in a supermarket. But it has some

nice easy recipes and all of the products used are easily

interchangeable with Australian products.

Happy cooking!

Now this makes me feel old...............

2011-05-15T13:51:00.014+09:30

My oldest turns 18 today!

Todd Geddes born 18 years ago today.

3.30pm in Darwin Private Hospital

This is Todd now, this picture was taken about

5 weeks ago.

Todd is working at Barkley Downs Station on

the Barkley Tablelands in Qld.

He is really loving it and apparently he and his

mate are off to Cammooweal today for a

counter lunch and legal beer. I told him

he won't actually be legal until 3.30pm.

LOL I am so mean.....Do you think he

actually listened to me?

John and I are extremely proud of

him. He has grown into a

lovely, well mannered,

responsible young man.

This is the perfect time to post this picture.

We pulled up at this phone booth on the way home

from Darwin at a little place called Acacia, which

used to have a service station, and is in the middle

of nowhere. It no longer has the service station

but the phone booth is still there.

We got Todd out and said we wanted a photo,

which Todd couldn't understand and thought

we were quite weird, specially when his Father told

him I wanted a photo with my boys beside a phone

booth all around the Northern Territory!

You can see the look on his face. WTF!

I call this the Geddes frown.......

The true story......

18 years ago today I was heading from Tipperary Stn

up to Darwin as I had started labour. Now I wasn't due for

another week yet and we were actually due in Darwin today

to pick my mother up off the plane.

So Todd decided it was time to come and we had to try

and get a hold of my mother to let her know we

would not be at the airport and she would have to get a

taxi to the hospital instead.

That's were the phone booth comes in.

We did not have a mobile phone in those days so we

stopped at this booth to ring my grandfather (hello Ken)

to try and get a message to my mum. 1/2 way through

a conversation I had to stop talking.....

"Wait a minute Ken, Ohhhh Ohhhh ouuuuch ouch".

Ken - "What are you doing?"

Me - "Just having a contraction"

Ken - "What, where are you?"

Me- "At a phone booth on the side of the road

on the way to Darwin."

Ken - "Get the f in the car and get to the hospital!!!!!!"

My grandfather never swears!

So that's the story with the phone booth. lol

The airport contacted my mother on arrival, the plane

was late, some A..hole wouldn't let her to the front

of the queue for a taxi, so she missed his birth by
I think it was 10 minutes.

John was there and that's another story hey John!

Let's just say it involved Coke and Mars Bars to
keep his sugar levels up.

Love you Todd.

Hope you have a great day.

Luv,

Dad, Mum and Jay

xxoo

Stampin' Up

2011-05-14T07:50:00.003+09:30

Stampin' Ups Autumn - Winter Mini Catalogue is out and there is

some really different stuff in there. I was quite excited when I saw

it. I'll have that, and that and that! Then I had to go through

again and pick out the one's I just couldn't live without.

You can download a copy of the catalogue here. Or you can

contact me and I can mail you one.

Stampin' Up also has a weekly May special going at the moment

were each Wednesday you can get some great deals on SU

Products.

There are no limits to the number of Deals of the week you can

purchase and no minimum purchase is required. Now is the

time to stock up on your favourite products!

Be sure to hurry up and order each special early so you don't

miss out! When the next weeks deals start midnight

the following Wednesday last weeks deals are over........

forever!

120963 Pg 37 Tag - Alongs Wood Mount Set was $31.95 NOW $19.17

120468 Pg 142 Stampin Pastels New Colour Kit (28) was $28.50 NOW $22.80

115957 Pg 151 Thanks Embossilit Die was $21.95 NOW $17.56

114513 Pg 151 Sweetest Stems Embossilit Die was $21.95 NOW $17.56

113483 Pg 155 Pennant Bigz XL Die was $74.95 NOW $59.96

2011-05-10T15:01:00.004+09:30

I know another one.
Are you interested in winning an Ipad 2, well spreets have
a competition running. Click on the link below and go
to their website to go into the draw for the ipad.

Go here.

2011-05-10T07:22:00.002+09:30

I love freebies! Who doesn't. Heinz have this great cookbook
available to download. It features delicious recipes for your families
for under $10. It has a great range of recipes that I know I will
enjoy making.

To download the recipe book go HERE.

Mmmmmm MMmmmm

2011-05-06T14:29:00.003+09:30

Don't these look so yummy. Margarita Cupcakes, this is definatly at the top
of my baking list when we shift and are allowed to use alcohol. That is one
of the things I will really enjoy, using wine in my stews and pastas, being
able to use rum in my rum balls etc etc

I love the look of the icing on these cakes, it makes you lick your lips just
looking at them, they are at my new favourite foody site Confections of a
Foodie Bride
Go check it out there is some really great stuff there including the recipe for
the above cakes.

Camera Strap

2011-05-05T12:20:00.003+09:30

Now I didn't make this one but it is so dang cute I just had to show it. I found
this one at a blog i like to look at called Originate and Renovate.

A camera strap is on my lists of to makes, and I really like this one!

What do you think. Have any of you out there made one you can link to or
link to other sites ones that you have really liked. Let me know.

Oh No..........................

2011-05-05T08:10:00.003+09:30

Well this is the view I've had for the last week. I broke my foot on Easter

Saturday, went to ER on Sunday morning and because it was a Public

Holiday until Wednesday, I was given crutches and told to come back

Wednesday to get it plastered. Not good!

Anyway I have been in a plaster since then, I'm due for a check up

next Friday to see if it's healing. It is called a Jones Fracture, which

apparently is one of the worst to heal bones around, as it doesn't get

much blood flow to it. I've been told to stay on my back with my foot

elevated higher than my heart. Yeah right!

Can you imagine if staff didn't get wages, and I seem to keep getting

phonecalls asking if I can do this, can I send that.....

So unless I actually turn the phones off it just can't happen.

On top of that John and I have decided to move on. We have done

what we came to do at Hodgson which was establish a station from

scratch and get it running.

We have a small block at Dundee Beach that we are trying

to do work on, and we are finding it hard to commute, cause it's 6hrs

up and 6hrs back, so there's our weekend gone.

So we have accepted a job at Koolpinyah Station, which is about

4okm's just out of Darwin. So we are pretty excited about

living close to town, and it will be so nice to knock off in the

afternoon and sit on the verandah overlooking the huge lagoon

and have a beer together.

So onto a new chapter in our life.

Now just to pack and shift on crutches................................................

I HAVE AN ADDICTION............

2011-04-14T16:24:00.002+09:30

TO BLOGS! AND IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS IT'S NOT MY OWN BLOG. LOL. I know, I know I have been so slack. A lot of it has been work, but I have to admit I have an addiction to other people's blogs. If I go near my computer that's it I am so hooked and next minute (make that an hour) I look and am shocked at how long I have been surfing! I keep telling myself, there is an hour you could have cooked something, sewn something or made a card.... Is there BA out there? Some Bloggers Anonymous help that I can get to stop doing this. There is so many pretty things to look at and so many wonderfully creative people that once I start looking, well that's the end of me. Ok so here I go again. I have to admit I have made some goodies in the last couple of months and some I have even remembered to photo, so will try and get them up in the next few days, plus I have photos from my trip to Japan I have been meaning to post, thinking of Japan it is all very sad what has been happening over there, and I have some great recipes from some dishes that I have got around to making. Bye for now, Kristy

Show and Tell.

2011-01-10T10:10:00.004+09:30

Here is a couple of stockings I made for my

neices for Christmas.

This was a rush job as usual but I am really

happy with how they turned out. Over again I

would have lined them, but I thought the towelling

would be heavy enough, but I think lining would

have made them look a bit more finished.

I filled them with presents and had my

fingers crossed that the would actually

arrive in the mail before xmas and

thankfully they arrived the day before

xmas eve.

Emmas said the girls loved them and

had them hung at the end of their beds

for Santa!

20,000 Hits Blog Giveaway

2011-01-10T08:57:00.005+09:30

Hi all,

Sorry I am only just getting back, I am having

so much trouble connecting to the internet at

the moment at both the house and office, so

it must be because it is so overcast.

Fam was the lucky winner of the hair straightner

pouch, so send me your details and I will get it

off in the mail to you.

I have to say when I started this blog for family

and friends I would never have dreamt of

getting over 20,000 hits, it was just something

I started to post some of my craft for friends

to see and some day to day photo's and chit

chat for family to see. I am definatly not the

best blogger in the world, so I would like to

thank all of those who keep checking.

Thanks dad!

luv,

Kristy

x0x0

New Years Resolutions and Goals

2011-01-07T11:49:00.008+09:30

Every year I try to make a few
New Year Resolutions.

Last year I just about completed all.

1. The lose weight and be healthier is on
this years list again and probably will be
for the rest of my life.

I wanted to do some study last year and have almost
completed my Diploma in Front Line Management,
only 3 more units to do on that.

Then I have to think of a new course for this year,
still thinking on that, I think I would also like
to 2. learn a language, and I know Fi will be yelling
out "learn Japanese", but I feel, on my own it
would be pretty hard. Both of my boys did
Indonesian through Distance Ed and I still
have all of their books here, so I might give
that a go.

3. Each year I like to learn a new craft.
Last year I learned to crochet, and I can
only still basic crochet (single and double stitch)
and am still going to learn some more when
my teacher gets back (hello Sheryl) and I
told Nana she needs to show me some when
we visit in a couple of weeks (my Nana does
beautiful crochet), so I am looking forward
to doing that with her. So I think this year
when I finally learn how to do a Granny
Square, I would like to make a quilt.

Now for the new craft for this year, I am
still thinking on that, I have no idea yet
but will come back and add it as I think of it.

4. Open an Etsy shop - I think I want to do this, I'm not sure yet, I have been really
enjoying getting back into my sewing and crafting and know I would have a huge
range of stuff I could sell. With the distance I would have to travel to do a market
it all gets a bit hard, so this might be an option. My only problem here is is no
Post Office and it is such a pain to mail stuff that can't go in a pre-paid bag, and
I know once the season starts with mustering and training, personal time is almost
zilch, so the question I ask myself is I start this am I going to have the time to do it, so
like I say it is just a thought at the moment! Any of you Etsy sellers out there
do you have any Yay's or Nay's or suggestions on this?

5. By end of year have 100 or more followers.

6. By end of year monetize my blog with sponsors - not really to make a million, but rather just to get some new craft supplies, cause like I keep telling my husband "you just can't have enough craft supplies". This is another that I have no idea about so if anyone has any ideas/recommendations on how to go about this, I am all ears! Or anyone who would love to be
a sponsor please let me know.

7. Take better pictures!! And remember to actually take the darn pictures when I'm done with whatever I just made!! Or when something has just happened and after you think "that would have made a great photo", I need to not worry about annoying people and get of my you know what and take photos all the time. And I think I will add to this one is to learn to edit them in
Photoshop and also to be able to make them all fancy dandy......
My sister gave me a crash course and I mean a crash course, when she was here in
November and it literally went in one ear and out the other I think, I still have no
clue. I said to her at the time I should be writing this down and her reply was "it's
so easy you'll be right" all I can say is "Yeah right". So I will add that to the list.

8. Write more posts. It's not hard! I just need to get on for 5 mins each day and do it!
Just do it Kristy!!!!!!!

9. Start my Christmas gift crafting in January. And really do it this time. I would *love* for next December NOT to be a repeat of this year! I think I need to start making my Christmas cards and gift tags now as well (hang my head in shame as I did none at all this year).

10. Do up a budget and actually stick to it!

11. Type up my own recipe book. Actually started this a couple of years ago, just need
to get it finished. This will be tried and true recipes that I use all of the time.
Family and friends often ask for a copy of certain recipes and I also thought this would
be a great gift for my boys as they are heading out on their own.

Not really resolutions, more goals -

12. Add a couple of more buildings to the block at Dundee.

13. Go on another great holiday. Not sure this year, but thinking
maybe just chilling in Bali for a week or so or doing a couple of weeks
around the Whitsundays. I would like to go to Vietnam for a look, but
I'm pretty sure my chances of getting John to go with me there is 0 to none!

14. Make time for special gifts. Little “just because” gifts. So this year I want to devote more of my time to reminding the people in my life how much they mean to me, whether it’s through a hand-written letter, phone call, little gift or if near by just a big hug.

15. This one is definitely a resolution - Spend more time at home and
do more family stuff. Less hours in the office!

Give more time to the people who appreciate it the most, including oneself!
Work is not the be all and end all of a persons life!

That's all I can think of at the moment and I know things change
throughout the year, but I work better with a list and I am sure there
will be others to add, but I would just like to wish everyone a Happy
and Prosperous New Year, and remember make time for your family and
friends, cause they are what means the most in this world in the long run.

luv,

Kristy xo

And the Winner is..................

2011-01-06T12:03:00.001+09:30

Fam!

Fam said:
cute pouch, what a great idea!!

Congratulations Fam, Jay drew the names out of a hat
for me on Wednesday, but I have been having internet
trouble so have not been able to post it till now.

Fam if you can email me your address I will get the
pouch in the mail for you.

Coming up this afternoon (if I don't lose internet
again) will be the promised giveaway to celebrate
by blog anniversary for over 20,000 hits!
So keep an eye out for that.

Catchya Later,

Kristy

Giveaway Below

2010-12-20T18:11:00.004+09:30

Evening all!

Some are becoming followers

and not leaving a comment.

Rules for the Giveaway

are to become a follower

of my blog and to leave

a comment. If you are

already a follower of my

blog just leave a comment.

I need you to leave a

comment so it makes it

easier to know who goes

into the draw and of

course to let me know

how much you would

really like this pouch!

lol!

And I can't believe my blog

has hit over the 20,000

viewers, so this makes

me think I might have to

have a second place giveaway

just to thank all you lovely

people for following my

blog, so keep an eye out

over the next couple of days!

A giveaway as promised..............

2010-12-20T14:58:00.009+09:30

Hair Straightner Pouch

I made these pouches a couple of months

ago as my GHD was getting wrecked

getting thrown in the port all the time.

While I was at it I made one for a

friend and a family member as well.

Would you like one?

I am giving one away and all

you have to do is become a

follower and leave a comment!

That easy.

The best thing I have found

with this is because it is padded

I can wrap the cord around the

handle (not the wand) and

while the wand is still warm,

be able to throw it in the

pouch and be on my

merry way. You don't

have to leave it out of your port

until it's cool.

While I am typing this the torrential rain

is so loud and the office is shaking,

I should have got home before it hit!

Oh well it will be straight into the shower.

Thanks for looking and good luck to all!

Winner will be drawn Wednesday the 5th January.

This was linked to the blog Embellishing Life.

and the Creative Itch Blog.

and Skip to My Lou

and The Girl Creative

Messenger Bag Redo

2010-12-18T13:50:00.007+09:30

We got presented with these messenger

bags full of lots of goodies at the

NTCA (Northern Territory's Cattleman's Association)

Conference this year.

They are great bags and I use

it all the time.

I wanted to take it to Japan

as I thought it would be

great on the plane and

walking around, and it

was, when I didn't have

too much stuff in it, hey

Fi!

I can understand promoting

your sponsors, it's a great

idea, but sorry guys it's

just too darn ugly for a girl

to be seen in Japan with, right!

So this is what I did!

What do you think? Wouldn't

know it was the same bag would you.

Actually showed it to the CEO of the NTCA

and he didn't have a clue.

I picked one of my favourite fabrics

that I purchased at Spotlight, ironed

the edges in and sewed the hem.

I then put double sided iron on

stuff on there and ironed it onto

the bag. Finished it off with a

twisted fabric flower which

you can find many tutorials

for them all over the blogosphere.

I think it Rocks!

Now have a look back tomorrow as I

have a GREAT giveaway.

Emma's Chocolate Brownie Slice - Mmmm Yum!

2010-12-18T13:40:00.003+09:30

My sister made this beautiful Chocolate

Brownie Slice when she stayed in November.

It was soooooooooo nice!

Pretty rich and would be great with a clump

of whipped cream and strawberries.

It took her no time at all to make,

and she has kindly sent it through to

me so I can share it with

everyone so we can all grow fat

together!

Chocolate Brownie

200g dark chocolate
250gn butter chopped
1 ¾ cup brown sugar
4 eggs
1/3 cup cocoa powder, sifted
1 ¼ cups plain flour, sifted
¼ teaspoon baking powder
Preheat the oven to 160°C. Place the

chocolate and butter in a saucepan over low heat

and stir until smooth.

Allow to cool slightly.
Place the sugar, eggs, cocoa, flour and baking

powder in a bowl. Add the chocolate mixture

into a 20cm (8in) square slice tin lined with

non-stick baking paper. Bake for 50 minutes

or until set. Cool slightly in the tin. Cut into slices.

Serve warm or cold. Makes 16 slices.

Too Cute!

2010-12-18T13:21:00.002+09:30

This is my gorgeous 6 month old niece

Bella.

I got this cute little romper suit for her,

very cute IRL, and wanted to make

a headband for her to match it.

If you look closely you can see the

flowers on the suit. I cut a

flower out of cream felt and

a centre for the flower out

of pink, the I sewed around

the flower edge and centre

in black to match the

suit. I then used fabric

stiffener to make the flower

stiff and stand up a bit.

To finish it off I sewed a

safety pin on the back, so it

can be removed so the head

band can be washed or so

you can attach other things

to the head band.

Pretty Cute for something

that took about 10mins to make!

The headband I mean, not the baby!

John and Gus's Holiday- It was a Jewicide!

2010-12-18T11:52:00.022+09:30

It's Jewicide!

John and Gus our brother in-law spent 2 weeks holiday up at Dundee Beach

fishing. They had a ball and Gus got to take 3 styrofoam containers

of fish home for family.

John with a 135 cm Jew

Gus with a 128cm Jew

John with a Fingermark

Gus with a Fingermark and Trout in Front

of the New Boat

John with a Coral Trout

Gus with a Coral Trout

John with a Tripple Tale

Nice Fat Tripple Tale

Tripple Tale action

Gus and Jay with more tripple tale

(I am glad to say Jay has had a haircut since this photo)

John with a Spanish Mackeral

Look what I got

2010-12-17T16:25:00.002+09:30

Yep it's an I Phone 4, have been meaning to get a 2nd
phone for some time as there is arguments galore
when we both go to town as to who is having the phone,
so I decided this is way to hard and decided it was
about time I got a new one.................so why not get
a Lamborghini right!

Still working my way around it, and I think I need
Tilly here my 2 year old niece as she seems to
have her mothers down pat.

Do you have an I Phone? If you do what is
your favourite Apps?

Teenage phone message cards

2010-12-17T16:01:00.002+09:30

I had to laugh when I saw these over at

Missie Krissie

Rough translation for parents:

Hi! While you were gone___

called and left you this message____.

I told them_____

You can call them on this number if it suits____

Click on the link to Missies Blog above for a copy of this free printable.

I want a hen house....

2010-12-17T15:30:00.003+09:30

I've been at my husband for quite some time for a

chicken pen and he has built me one on one of

the other stations we have lived on, but he

has been dragging the chain on this one,

I would love just a moveable one that

I can put on fresh pick and easily hold

about 5 chooks.

I think I'll be dreamin' for a while.

Have a look at these for chook houses!

More like mansions, I could imagine

the look and comment I would get

if I asked for a hen house like these.

ROFL!

I found these at

Bliss Guild Blogspot

Oh How I Love Gift Wrapping...........

2010-12-17T12:12:00.018+09:30

Gift wrapping, sighh........

Aren't these gorgeous! Every year I

vow I'm going to wrap my presents

beautifully, and every year it comes

around so fast that nine times out of

ten I'm rushing to get things wrapped

so they will make last mail plane before

Christmas that a lot of the time I'm writing

on the wrapping with Nikko pen for whom

they are for......I know I am hanging my

head in shame, I have the paper, the stamps

and the know how, I just always leave things

too late!

Well I still have this weekend to finish

wrapping some, so will try and put a

bit more effort into those - the ladies at

least - do you think the men

appreciate it as much as we do or do

they really not care?

Anyway here is some I have drooled over

on some blogs lately:

Design Sponge

Paper n Stitch

Somethings Unique 365

Small burst of everything

Gracie Bella Butterfly

Style Files

My life - My loves

Kylie Parry

How About Orange

If you got to How About Orange's link they

also have a free printable to make the

snow flake.

Wow not long till xmas now!

2010-12-17T10:37:00.005+09:30

8 sleeps exactly before Santa comes downn that
non existent chimney.

Wow the last three of months have been so hectic!
And what a time it has been..............
I have learnt to crochet, been to Japan, completed
most of my Diploma in Front Line Management,
had over 200 people here for a bbq for the trainees
graduation, travelled to Darwin and back (1200km's)
at least 8 times, had quite a few visitors, including
bosses, had my sister and brother in-law visit for
2 weeks, did a heap of sewing and cooking with my
sister, helped look after my 2 year old and 6 month old
nieces (whew!), caught up on my stamping swaps
and of course worked!

SoI promise you there is a reason I haven't blogged
much in the last couple of months. But the biggest
reason, and I am ashamed to say it, I just haven't
darned well felt like it.......

Anyway, we are now coming into our quiter time,
so I am hoping there will be enough hours in the
day to get out of the office at a reasonable hour
and get a few things done for myself.

So keep looking as I have lot's and lot's of photo's
and a few giveaways coming!

I heart fabric.............

2010-12-15T17:08:00.002+09:30

Just thought I would let everyone know I am still alive. This is my latest
stash of fabric from my last trip to Darwin, I'm happy to say that some of
it has already been used to make some Christmas presents. Will have to
post some pictures.

Also happy to say I got Todd's scarf finished last night and mailed off to
London today so hopefully he'll get a bit of wear out of it. It was only my
second attempt at crochet and I reckon it looks pretty good, after I packed
it I realised I hadn't got a photo, oh well I might see a photo with him
wearing it! He screwed his nose up when I showed him the first scarf
I made and said I was going to make him one but if he's freezing his
arse off and thinks of all the time and love his mother put into it for
him lol he might wear it......

Ok well thanks for checking in.

Catcha later!

Another easy one.

2010-12-02T07:09:00.004+09:30

This one is for the boys. I purchased some shorts fabric and some pre-made
t-shirts, as you can see by the photo above I cut a piece of the fabric out
to match the shorts and sewed it to the front.

Here are the shorts. I love this fabric, shame my boys are too old for
it now. Whaddya think Todd would you like a pair of shorts in this fabric?

These are so easy!

2010-12-02T06:51:00.002+09:30

A couple of ladies and I held a stall in the community a couple of months ago
and sold a few different bits and pieces. I wanted to whip up some kids
clothes and I found this shirred fabric at Spotlight by the metre.

Just cut enough for a dress sew up the side, cut a strip off the
bottom to use as straps at the top and hem the bottom. Walla!!!!

Just one hint, the bottom tends to be a little straight with not a lot
of movement room so get a little extra fabric and from the
elastic down cut out in a triangle shape or bell shape, so there is
more width for movement. This came in an array of colours
and was very popular with the little girls.

Look what I have been up to!

2010-11-30T13:51:00.003+09:30

Well as mentioned in an earlier post, each year I like to learn something new,
so this year I decided to learn how to crochet, a lady on the station started me
and at this stage I only know how to do single crochet and double crochet,
but it's a start right.

I'm a whizz at scarves, and here is the first one I made. Not a lot of call for scarves up here, so maybe a scarf is coming someones way for Christmas. ;--)

Card Keepers

2010-11-29T14:38:00.005+09:30

These are a couple of boxes I made up to store cards in. One was for myself
and one was for a friend.
I made them by covering shoe boxes with old Stampin' Up scrapbooking paper
that i had.

For my friends I put what type of cards they were for. e.g children's cards,
woman's cards etc, then filled them with each of those cards.
For my own I did this at the front, but then at the back I put the months of the
year and this year coming I hope to be organised and have the cards written up
for friends and family in their envelopes and addressed and put in each month
for when their birthdays are. That's the idea anyway, but it sounds wayyyy
to organised for me. I love how they turned out.

Japan

2010-10-13T11:51:00.002+09:30

Wow what a whirlwind. We have been having so much fun and EATING TOO MUCH!
Been in Nagaya for the last couple of days staying with a friend of Fionas. Off to Kyoto shortly on the train for a cooking class in the morning. Then back to Osaka tomorrow night to fly home on Friday night. We have taken lots and lots of photos, which I will post when I get home.............................

Hi All

2010-09-16T07:08:00.006+09:30

Well again it has been awhile between blogs. I have
been so busy and so sick. We have had such a huge
year with training and even at the moment we
have a trainer here doing the hospitality training
with the girls.

I have been so sick the last 4 weeks with a Chest
infection and Whooping Cough and after some
heavy drugs I have been feeling a lot healthier,
but have woke up again feeling chesty this
morning, so just don't know.

I have been doing lots of bits and pieces in
between work at the moment,
with lots of little goodies to show.

I finished the 12wbtc and lost a total of 6kg's
which is nowhere near as much as what I
would have liked to lose, but after being so
sick it has been so hard to get motivated,
but I am determined to do it and have
printed the program off to do it.

John has finally bitten the bullet and ordered
the new boat he's been craving for the last
couple of years and should have it in 1 1/2 weeks.
He's gone with a Hooker again as he loves his
old one, this one is 6 mtr's so we should fit in
it a bit more comfortable. These guys make great
boats and you can check out their site at
Hooker Boats.

I'm heading off to Japan with my best friend Fiona
in 20 days time (not counting am I). Fiona lived over
there and speaks fluent Japanese so I couldn't be
going with a better person. We are giving Tokyo a miss
and flying into Osaka for a couple of days, then heading
to Takayami for their Autumn festival, I can't remember
the names of the other places I'll have to get them off Fi,
but we are also booked in for a cooking course which I
am really looking forward to, looking forward
to lots of things actually eating (love japanese food),
shopping, photo taking, girly time and just chillin!

Another year older on Wednesday, the lovely ladies
on the station had a afternoon tea for me which was
really touching. Thank you so much to Julie our cook
and the hospitality girls, they made the yummiest
chocolate cake for me. Thanks guys you made my day.

We have quite a few woman on the station now and I
try and get us together if time permits every Thursday
arv for a cuppa and a chat it has been really nice having
a bit of female time, with our main topic of conversation
being craft, this year we are all trying to make our
christmas presents and it's been great to throw ideas
off each other.

So stick around over the next few days and as I get a
chance I'll post photo's of all the goodies I have been
making.

Anyway I'm off to do some housework, I figure if I get
most of it done this arv it will free me up for some craft
time over the weekend! (she grins)

I'm backkkk

2010-07-25T16:13:00.004+09:30

You can really tell when I'm busy as I don't get
anywhere near my blog. I spent the week in
the station kitchen as the cook didn't arrive until
Friday arv. What a huge week, my mornings started
at 4.30am and my day finished at about 8pm
which I would go home have a shower
and fall into bed and be asleep by 8.30pm!

I am so glad it is over, even though I did enjoy it,
and the guys obviously enjoyed my cooking as
they asked me to get someone else
in the office and cook full time.
Um......let me think about that.....
No thanks. They did appreciate it though and
thanked me and made me a hat rack for the
front verandah, I was really touched.
So with doing that and the office and having
trainers here for the week everything else
went out the window including my 12WBTC
and my photograpy, so up went the weight
by a kilo as eating what the men were eating
and not exercising. Gotta admit though being
on my feet all day was not good as would be
awake 1/2 of the night with pain in my knee,
which bought back all the reasons as to why
I am doing this in the first place. So after a
day of rest today mainly for mental reasons
so I'm fresh for the week ahead ( a whole week
to catch up on in the office and new govie not
due till end of week) so the day has been spent
doing light house work, and lying on the
couch watching telly and catching up on emails etc...
ahhh heaven.
So up early tomorrow and on the treadmill,
though I want to mix it up a bit this week
and do a bit of walking/running up the airstrip
as having a bit of trouble running and a few people
have told me to give it a try just on ground instead
of the treadmill.
Looks like rain this arv and they are predicting
rain for tomorrow so will be interesting as that is
weird weather for this time of year.
Has certainly chilled things up again.

I have missed a week of photos so will start
from tomorrow instead of trying to catch up
from last week, and I have some great recipes
to post. I think I have to post some of my others
not so fattening recipes as well otherwise you
will be thinking I eat all of this stuff!
I'm not eating it Michelle I promise you!

Anyway here's to a great week everyone
hope you have a good one!

Photo of the day for Friday

2010-07-17T11:56:00.004+09:30

Everytime Todd comes for holidays I keep meaning to get some
photos of him, I know that after the next couple of holidays and
he hits the job world next year, that we won't see much of him.
And as usual it is time for him to go and I still hadn't taken any
shots. They were just about to head out and I raced in and grabbed
the camera, so along to the sounds of John's groaning I grabbed
some shots. They turned out really nice.

Todd did a great job these holidays. Our cook went to town for
the weekend and didn't bother to return, so Todd has spent
the 4 weeks of his holiday cooking inthe station kitchen for
about 20 people and he did a great job. This also gave him
enough wages for the much sort after car. So beware
everyone in Rocky, cause from Monday on Todd will
be on the road.

Anyway well done mate you did such a great job
and we are so proud of you!

Photo of the day for Thursday

2010-07-15T16:25:00.002+09:30

These are my 2 boys unimpressed at having their photos taken. Jay on
the left who is 13 and Todd on the right who is 17. You wouldn't believe
they were brothers if you met them on the street, they are so different.

Photo of the day for Wednesday

2010-07-15T16:22:00.002+09:30

This is Diana, she comes up to the fence to say hello to me every
morning, they all come up on the off chance I have an apple or slice
of bread for them. We purchased her about 7 years ago from friends
Greg and Diana Simons hence the name. She is the most beautiful
quite mare that you can do anything with.

Photo of the day for Tuesday

2010-07-15T11:35:00.003+09:30

This is Freckles, John has called him by some other name (actually
John calls him by a lot of names, but some I shouldn't repeat on
here, but he is now just known as Freckles. He has Doc's Freckles
Oak heritage but the main reason which doesn't show really well
in this photo is his white stripe on his face is actually covered
in spots (brown hair) hence the nickname. He is a real character
and goes out of his way to get into anything he shouldn't be!

Beautiful Bella

2010-07-13T16:25:00.004+09:30

As mentioned earlier, I flew down in August to go in for the birth of my little
niece and to spend some time with my sister and her family. Here is her
birth announcement that I have been meaning to post.
I would love to be having a hug right now. Sniff... Tell that husband of
yours he needs to move closer!

Honey Jumble Slice

2010-07-12T14:58:00.006+09:30

This slice is so easy and so yummy, it must be the way Todd is going
through it. It tastes just like the biscuits which I have made many
times, but the best thing about this is less stuffing around!

Honey Jumble Slice

1 1/2 cups plain flour
1 tsp mixed spice
2 tsp ginger
2 tbs of honey
1 tsp bicarb soda
125g butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg lightly beaten
1 1/4 cups icing sugar
2 tbs hot water (approx)
pink food coloring (optional)

1. Melt butter and honey in a small saucepan over a medium heat. Bring to the boil and remove from heat. Add bicard soda and sit to cool slightly.
2. In a large bowl sift flour, ginger and mixed spice. Add brown sugar. Make a well in the centre and add the honey/butter mixture and the egg.
3. Mix until ingredients are well combined. Press mixture into a baking pan.
4. Cook for 18-20 minutes in a 180 degree celsius oven. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
5. Mix icing sugar and to make a smooth icing. Add extra water or icing sugar as needed. Tint icing sugar pink and spread on top of cooled slice.
6. Slice and enjoy!

(I of course doubled the recipe and cooked it in a lamington tin) It worked perfect
and would freeze really well. Definatly one I will be adding to my oft baked list.

Photo for the day for Monday

2010-07-12T13:27:00.004+09:30

Here is a photo of the fog in the morning's here, this is about 8.00am the fog

finally clears away about 9.30

Photo of the day for Sunday

2010-07-12T08:04:00.003+09:30

Murray and 2 of his boys (Nathan and Ben) working in the yards.

Murray that is the boys were overseeing!

Photo of the day for Saturday

2010-07-12T08:02:00.001+09:30

Shannon having a break!

Photo of the day for Friday

2010-07-12T07:36:00.001+09:30

What a clever bull. Can you do this?

Photo of the day for Thursday

2010-07-08T08:21:00.001+09:30

Here is the boy's after they completed their fire extinguisher course.

Yummo - Melting Moments

2010-07-07T08:40:00.005+09:30

Well this is another huge favourite in our house, the biggest reason

for John is I can easily substitute gluten free flour and they taste

exactly the same! I have to say I have been good and have not

been touching them, but I will admit I had a smidgen of the vanilla

cake that I made for the boys. (forgot to take a photo)

Will have to make it again so I can post the recipe and have a

photo to go with it!

Recipe for Melting Moments taken from Woman's Weekly The Big Book of

Beautiful Biscuits

250g (8oz's) butter

1/3 cup icing sugar

1 1/2 cups plain flour (I use Gluten Free)

1/2 cup cornflour

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add sifted flours and mix

well. Put mixture into piping bag fitted with fluted tube. Pipe rosettes

on to a lightly greased oven tray, bake in a moderate oven 10-12 minutes

until pale golden brown. Cool on wire rack. Join biscuits with lemon

cream.

Lemon Cream

60g (2oz) butter

1/2 cup icing sugar

1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

3 teaspoons lemon juice

Beat butter until smooth, gradually add sifted icing sugar, beat until

mixture is light and creamy. Beat in lemon rind and juice.

Note :- I have made these in the past without the piping bag as I

did not have one, I just put teaspoonfuls on tray. I don't use

a greased tray I just put Gladbake on my tray. I don't sift as I

am too lazy and the lemon icing is nice but I have made these

without the lemon and just added water instead.

The recipe says it makes 30 complete but I am lucky if I can

get 20, maybe mine are too big, I don't know, but I always

double the recipe. They are also great to freeze!

For You

2010-07-07T08:34:00.003+09:30

Another card made with my sister at christmas time, from memory
I think hers was a little different. It was made using the SU stamp
set Great Friend that was in last years Spring Mini along with the
Walk in The Park DSP. The card used was Baja Breeze, basic grey
and whisper white, I really can't recall what pink we used, I would
think Pink pirouehte but it looks more like a darker one, I have
since given the card away so can't check. This is a very pretty set
and quite fast to whip a card up with, I won't be surprised if it's in
the new catalogue.

Photo of the day for Wednesday

2010-07-07T08:23:00.003+09:30

Early morning the men are waiting for the rest of the horses to be brought in
so they can saddle up and go mustering.

Tom Cruise?

2010-07-07T07:45:00.002+09:30

I Know I'm dead for this one!

I know I am such a bitch and yes I do have a weird sense of humour and I
know John won't find this funny whatsover, but I just can't help myself.
When I clip his hair I find it really amusing to just do a bit then make out
I'm done, and I have to admit the boys find it funny too and for some
reason John is the only one who doesn't!

For some reason this reminds me of Tom Cruise when he does that creepy
dance in Tropic Thunder!

Sorry Honey!

Woo Hoo!

2010-07-07T05:57:00.002+09:30

Another 1.2kg lost this week. I am wrapped with that and wonder
how much the loss would have been if I had had time to exercise
as well, but with 4.30 starts and 8.30pm finishes that wasn't
going to happen, only got in a couple of 2k walks. But it just
goes to show thinking about what you eat before it goes in the
mouth makes a huge difference.

Todd is back cooking in the kitchen at the moment and is doing
a great job, still looking for a cook and a governess if anyone
knows of anyone, and I have finally got all of the stations
end of Financial stuff through to Adelaide, so am hoping
life will go back to some semblence of normal now.

Have been having so much trouble loading photos to blogger
lately, writing is not a problem, but it just won't add photos,
been doing it to me off and on quite a bit lately, and I know
it's not my computer as have tried it on 2 others as well.
I would have a few extra posts to add if I could only get
the photo on here! Oh well I'll keep trying and when I
finally get it to work will have to save a few to draft!

Been really cold and overcast here at the moment and
actually drizzled rain for about 1/2 an hour yesterday
but only enough to settle the dust, very weird weather
for up here. Anyway I better think about going and
folding some clothes (actually better fold them and
not just think about it as that darn pile keeps getting
higher and higher) hope all have a great day.

Blogger!

2010-07-07T05:42:00.001+09:30

Man I am getting so tired of blogger not working. I would have many more posts if blogger wouldn't be continually stuffing up when I am trying to add photos.

Photo of the day for Tuesday

2010-07-06T16:45:00.002+09:30

Shannon pushing cattle up the race.

Photo of the day for Monday

2010-07-06T15:54:00.002+09:30

My Marlboro Man!

Mmmm Monte Carlos

2010-07-05T08:26:00.006+09:30

Well these would have to be one of my favourite biscuits and they don't last
too long in our house. They can be a bit fiddly the first time, but are well
worth it, once you get the hang it's like a production line.
This recipe is from the Woman's Weekly Big Book of Beautiful Biscuits.

INGREDIENTS
185g (6oz) butter (or Marg)
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups SR Flour
3/4 cup plain Flour
1/2 cup coconut
raspberry or other jam (I mainly use strawberry)

FILLING
60g (2oz) butter or marg
1/2 cup icing sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons milk

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy,
add egg and vanilla and beat well. Add
sifted dry ingredients (I don't bother sifting)
and coconut and mix well. Roll teaspoonfulls
of mixture into balls, shape into ovals and
place on lightly greased oven trays (i just
have a tray with glad bake on) rough up
surface with a fork. Bake in a moderate
oven 10 to 15 minutes or until golden
brown. Remove from oven, cool on wire
rack. Put a teaspoon of jam and a
teaspoon of prepared filling in centre
of half the biscuits. Top with remaining
halves, press together lightly.
FILLING - Cream butter and sifted icing
sugar (I don't sift) until light and fluffy,
add vanilla, gradually add milk, beat well.

This recipe makes 25 complete biscuits.
It doubles and triples really well and the
biscuits also freeze really well.

A little kraft time.

2010-07-05T08:15:00.006+09:30

Not for me that's for sure. That would be the base card used to make
this card. SU Kraft, with real red, glorious green, yo yo yellow and
the image is stamped on whisper white. This is one of the cards I made
with my sister at christmas time, using an old hostess set called A Little
Bit of Hapiness. It is one of those cards that look so much better IRL.
The card looks a lot brighter and crisper. We loved how it was so
quick and easy and would be a good one for Emma to make up quickly
on her own and then bling it up if she needed to. You can't see it in
this card but the large flower is actually cut out and raised,

Thanks for looking, hope everyone has a great day!

Photo of the day for Sunday

2010-07-04T13:25:00.004+09:30

Here is another photo of Darcy branding, I just love the fish eye effect.

Photo of the day for Saturday

2010-07-04T13:16:00.001+09:30

Here we have Jay after a few long hours in the yard.

Photo of the day for Friday

2010-07-04T13:06:00.002+09:30

Well 2 actually! The above photo is the number brand about to branded onto
the hide. It is a 0 brand - meaning the calves that are branded with a 0 are
born and branded in 2010. The below photo is the brand as it hits the hide.
The brand is only placed on the hide for a matter of seconds, but lasts on
the hide for the rest of their lives.

Sorry I can't seem to load photos at the moment!

2010-07-03T20:41:00.005+09:30

I tried last night as well and it won't seem to load. I will keep trying!

Photo of the day for Thursday

2010-07-01T21:39:00.001+09:30

This is Darcy Hockey, who is being taught by John how to brand.
Jay is holding the calfs leg so it doesn't kick around.
This shot was using my fish eye lens.

Photo of the day for Wednesday

2010-07-01T21:26:00.002+09:30

Emma and Bella
This photo was taken about 4 mins after Bella was born. I love this shot
it is so real, and I love how you can see the exhaustion on Emmas face.
This photo was from about 3 1/2 weeks ago when I was in Biloela for
Bella's birth.
I will have to post about my holiday on the weekend and show a few
shots from it.

Photo of the day for Tuesday

2010-07-01T21:18:00.004+09:30

Todays photo is of the finches that nest in my office roof. You hear them
out there all day but you have to be so quick to catch them. They are so
cute. I have another pair that are nesting in my satellite dish as well, well
under my dish were the post bolts onto it. Should not be far off for some little
chicks soon.

Photo of the day...

2010-07-01T20:50:00.004+09:30

Sunday I said I was thinking of doing a photo a day, sorta a photo journey
of bits and pieces on the station or elsewhere that I have seen or done.
So here is Monday's shot.

This is Mary our cook's offsider, Mary is studying hospitality with us this
year and it is her second year with us here at the station. Mary loves
showing her grandchildren off to me every chance she gets, so she bought
Alex over to say gidday. He is certainly in a good paddock this one.

Woo Hoo!

2010-07-01T20:27:00.006+09:30

Well first week weigh in for the challenge, actually 5 days since I started the 12weeksbtc and I have lost 3.1kgs. I have to say I have been a bit slack in following the plan as have been working 16 hour days (we are looking for a station cook and a governess if anyone knows of anyone), so haven't had the time to exercise as much as I would like, but trying to get in 2km's of walking a day and will step up the pace a bit next week when things quiten down a bit hopefully! So off to a good start.

12WBT Challenge

2010-06-27T08:09:00.006+09:30

Well I have done it and am declaring on my blog for all to know,
so hopefully it makes me more accountable and less likely to fail,
fingers crossed anyway.
This week I joined the Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Trim
Challenge. It is a 12 week challenge to change your body for
the rest of your life. Now I understand it took me a lot longer
than 12 weeks to get like this and it will take me a lot longer
than 12 weeks to get it off! But it is a huge start, the raves
I have heard of this program and the outcomes from people
who did the first round have been outstanding. So I have
taken the plunge to give it a go.
I have got a fair bit to lose and at this stage I don't really
feel comfortable enough on here to post it as such a
different range of people read my blog.

I still want to post recipes and from now on it will be
quite a diverse range, I would like to still post my
cakes, biscuits etc as I really love baking them, and
they are usually made for staff and family, who
all work very hard (physically) so it doesn't affect
them like it does me who sits in an office chair most
of the day. They tend to just eat them for smoko
which is what I cook them for but if I let
myself I would eat them all day. Some would
say why have them there to tempt you, and it
probably is a bit silly, but why should all suffer
for me, but to tell you the truth I really don't crave
them anymore, I actually feel a bit sick after
I eat them, I do admit I love a good pudding
and find it hard to say no, but I now realise
it's portion control and making up for it in
what I eat the next day. So if anyone is
interested in just following this journey
of mine, can go to theside and click on
12WBTC and those that don't
who read my blog can just skim past it.

I really want to do this for myself. I grew up
being very fit, riding horses and playing sports,
but over the years out of laziness I have just
let myself go, a lot of it has been lack of time
as I put so much into my work that it is dark
and I am exhausted by the time I knock off.
THAT IS STOPPING!
I am now going to start knocking off at a
reasonable hour so I can get time to exercise
and time to cook decent healthy meals.
Most of our meals are healthy, but living
on a cattle station, the majority of our meals
is meat.
So my biggest thing will be getting myself
organised.
I need to do up a folder that has a menu plan,
an exercise plan, and it will hold healthy recipes.
I need to get up earlier so I can fit 1/2 an hour
to an hour of exercise in and a healthy b'fast
before I go to work, so if something happens
like it often does here it won't be so bad as
I have done some form of exercise for the day.

I am hoping by posting it on here and
getting it out there that I become accountable!
I have started things before and fall off the wagon,
and I know it is just laziness. I know this is it, I
really want to do it this time. I am sick of sore
feet, knees, hips and back. I really need to do
it for my health being number 1, but I really
want to do it for me, I really want to get back
into those nice clothes (and those jeans I have
been carting around for YEARS LOL!)

So as I have said I have joined the challenge.
I actually joined a lot later than everyone else
as I only found out the day before the last
closing date all about the challenge, so I am
actually about 2 weeks behind everyone else.
It took me a couple of days to do my pre-season
tasks, and I still have a couple of things to finish
off on that, and everyone had finished their first
week when I started, so when they weigh in for
the second week, realisticly it will be my first.
I am not letting that worry me, even though it
is a competition I am in it just for me, just losing
5, 10, 20kgs will be such a huge accomplishment!

Todd who is a gym junkie, is going to give me a
hand over the next couple of days to work out
the exercise plan, we are given a complete list
for the training, and even though we are given
detailed instructions, some of it is very foreign
to me. I have got the treadmill I bought a
couple of months ago and my use of this has
been quite sporodic, so that will be used daily!
Jay has got heaps of weights and a bench so Todd
and I will have a go at that this arv and he can show
me the ins and outs.

When I signed up for it the other day, even though
I was sitting in the office by myself, my heart
was beating 100 miles a minute and I was quite
nervous, which sounds silly, but I thought this
is it I have to do it.

So now it's out there for all to see as per Mish's
instruction. I hope I don't pain you all too much
with my journey, as that is what it will be for me
a journey back to a healthier me and I am really
looking forward to it. So stay tuned.

First weigh in is Wednesday......................

PS I have taken the before shots but I think
I will spare you those for the moment!

A Catch Up!

2010-06-27T06:56:00.002+09:30

Wow what a busy couple of weeks.

We have been so flat out. It is end of financial year for work
and I will be flat with that for the next week or so and will
be glad to see the end of it all, that's on top of everything else
in the office as well, there just seems to be to much work for
me to cope with lately, when I sit down and think about it
I am probably doing at least 4 peoples jobs at the moment,
and that's in the office alone.

On top of that we had the 2 big bosses on Monday and Tuesday
and along with that the cook decided it was a good time to go on
a binge and not come back and the governess decided Tuesday
was a better day to come back to work than Monday. So I
have been without a cook and a governess. Thank god Todd
is here on holidays and has taken over the running of the
kitchen like he was born to it. And thank god it is school
holidays as Jay would probably be strangled if I was having
to do that as well!

On top of it all I had my 2 office girls Tuesday and Wednesday,
this is training and is pretty one on one, so when you have them
for the day you can pretty well kiss doing your office work good
bye, Wednesday the 2 hospitality girls come out and cause there
is no full time cook I had to go and give Todd a hand with them,
so we had the 4 girls in the kitchen. I left Todd to tea preparations
and got the girls to get in and help me doing smokos and cakes for
the next few days. I was exhausted that night but I think they
really enjoyed it. We cooked a huge fruitcake which when cooked
and cooled we individually wrapped, actually I will have to post
the recipe it is so easy and quite deceiving in it's niceness, I
actually call it my saddle bag cake as having been making it
for years to throw in lunch boxes and saddlebags as it holds
together very well. We also made patty cakes, little caramel
tartd, a big banana caramel tart, a huge cheesecake, some jam
drops, some chockky rocks (biscuits), and 2 large bread and
butter puddings, which the girls thought was strange but after
eating them absolutley loved them as did the men after eating
them that night! So Todd is set up for a few days, even though
feeding 24 people everyday, things don't last too long.

So I was glad to see the end of the day Friday, cause I vowed
I was not doing anything workwise for the weekend, and it
has been heaven, even though I think John and I have to do
our usual Sunday afternoon sit down and plan the week
ahead and this week we need to order a heap of stuff before
the EFY.

Yesterday I pottered it was so nice, I did a clean up in the
morning, read and drank coffee, got my personal accounts
all up to date and played on the internet, it was so nice to
be on the computer and not to be working.
John wants to know why I would even want to be on there
at all.
Today I want to get in and make a couple of big cakes for
Todd so the week is a bit easier, sort some healthy recipes
for myself, maybe at last get some cards made (that would
be a miracle) and finish my book.

I know I shouldn't say this but I am thinking I would like
to start on the blog taking a photo a day, sorta just something
that is happening here on that day, sorta a day in the life.
I just worry as I know how slack I get in finding the time
to blog it, but I would like to give it a try so from tomorrow
I will start.

No Apologies

2010-06-18T06:55:00.004+09:30

Everytime I don't blog for ages I come on here and apologise. Well I've
decided to not apologise anymore, when I can get on I can. My life is so
busy that it is hard to find the time. I think if I didn't feel the need to post
a photo I would blog most days, but I hate blogging with no pics to show.

I had a massive cook up on the weekend, as we did a killer and I grabbed
the mincer and made a heap of mince. I like to make a big tomato based
mince and a big gravy base mince and then make different dishes from
these and stick them in the freezer for when I have more time.
Tomato based dish - lasagne, spaghetti bol
Gravy based dish - meat pie, shepherds pie
Then I made a huge curry with some stew meat and also made some
little quiches using my lge patty tin and made up about 50 rissoles,
cooked 1/2 and froze them and froze 1/2 uncooked. So all in the
freezer for when I have to cook late or just don't feel like cooking.
I was going to get a heap of sweet stuff done, but just didn't
feel like it after doing all of the above. I did make carrot cake as
I grated extra carrot when I was grating it for the rissoles.
The photo is not great as it was a couple of days later, and the
paper on the outside had gotten moist by then, when they were
fresh cooked they looked fantastic. This recipe is for a whole
carrot cake, but I put baking paper into my little rectangle
cake tin, it's like a patty tin but they are rectangle instead of
round, I think you usually cook friands in them?
Anyway here is the recipe for the carrot cake, i have had this
recipe for years, probably close to 25 now, my Aunty gave it to
me and it has become a favourite over the years as it freezes
really well.

CARROT CAKE
3 Eggs 1 1/3 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup white sugar 1 1/3 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 cup cooking oil 2 cups grated raw carrot
1 1/3 cups plain flour 1/2 cup nuts
1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/3 teaspoons bi-carb soda

Beat eggs and sugar until frothy. Add oil. Stir in sifted dry
ingredients and lastly fold in carrot, nuts and vanilla. Bake
for 1 hour. When cool ice as follows.

Icing: 4 oz's cream cheese, 3 tablespoons butter, 8 oz's
icing sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Note: Nuts, use any you like. The main one I like is of
course walnuts, but I used pecans for the above and I
have also used the mixed chopped nuts. Don't forget
when you use nuts like walnuts and pecans, they
need to be chopped first.

I said I would post it later!

2010-06-09T09:46:00.002+09:30

But I didn't quite mean this later - like 3 weeks later.

The above photo is not the greatest, but this quiche is very yummy and easy!

I buy 30pks of eggs and the recipe is on the front of the egg container, the best
thing is I changed the flour to Gluten Free and it still tasted great.

Quick Quiche
. 7 eggs
. 1 onion chopped
. 1 zucchini grated
. 1 cup grated cheese
. 4 bacon rashers chopped
. 1 cup milk
. 1/4 cup cream
. 3/4 cup SR flour (I used GF)
. 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
. fresh chopped parsley
. salt and pepper to taste

Breat eggs with milk and cream. Add remaining ingredients and combine
well. Pour into a 25cm pie or quiche dish. Bake for 45mins in a moderate
oven until set.

New walker, swap cards and house work

2010-05-03T09:43:00.002+09:30

Well today is a public holiday here, but I need to get the wages done and a few other things at the office done as well, so will kiss most of my day off goodbye.

I got my new walker on Saturday, I know we have a million acres why do I need a walker, well with all the rain here in the last few months you walk up to your knees in mud, and with all the fresh growth there is grass seed, spear grass and burs everywhere, and flys flys and more flys. That's my excuse anyway lol, I figure I will be more inclined to jump on and watch some telly if it's sitting in the lounge. Anyway I set it all up yesterday and I was looking at it last night and it has a shelf on the front for books or magazines, and I thought, yes I thought that would be great to sit the lap top on, so that's what I did this morning, my laptop sits upright on it, and with a couple of the red rubber bands from the post office holding it in place it worked perfectly, so now I can check emails read blogs etc while I walk along. I did 2k's this morning without even thinking about it. So this is the start of trying to get healthy again, I am hoping to do 2k's in the morning and 2k's in the afternoon and building up to more each week, I have to take it steady as the knee I got operated on a few years ago, starts paining too much when I do too much too quick.

Wow this housework is endless isn't it, it is so hard to keep on top of it when you're stuck in an office everyday, and after constantly coming home to a mess I am now seriously thinking boarding school next year! I did the pantry clean out last month and did the lists but am yet to type up, I laugh at blogs that have a statement that they will not get take away for a month, they will cook every night! Oh to be able to get take away once in a blue moon, that would be heaven, to not have to cook every single meal...........................I get so sick of it and just to be able to ring up every now and then and get a pizza delivered.............bliss! I spose it makes us appreciate it more when we go to town, but admit a lot of out now we reckon is just Blah! tends to be greasy and repeats on you for two days after.
John got thrown off a horse last week and hurt his knee and broke a couple of ribs, so he has been in a fair bit of pain, not a lot you can do for broken ribs. His knee has come good, but I would say he'll have to be careful on it for awhile as I would say he has stretched the ligaments (take my word for it I am an expert on leg injuries lol) the rib pain is pretty bad, and he can't cough and can't sneeze and we are not aloud to make him laugh, you know the story get the violin out.......................sorry, I shouldn't be so mean, but after hearing about how bad it was for a few days and knowing that there is a clinic only 6km's away that could look at it for him, well to tell you the truth I just didn't want to hear about it anymore, plus I was worried because it was work related he really needed to get it checked and noted if something healthwise affected him down the track because of it. So he finally went and got it checked and without xrays can't tell 100% the extent of the damage but can definatley feel a couple of broken ribs. But at least now he has some pain killers which has made a huge difference.
I have got some swap cards due, 3 months worth to be exact, hangs head in shame. I know if I just sit down and do it I will have them done in no time, but we have been so flat lately I have found it really hard to find the time and by 8.30 we are all looking for bed. So I sat down yesterday to make a start and the first technique I had to do was a bleach technique, I thought easy! I'll have these whipped up in no time. Sat down with the bleach to stam the couple of things that I was going to stamp with the bleach...........nothing....a tiny little smudge of lightening and thats it, so tried it on a couple of other base colours, still nothing, I don't know whether it's the bleach White King or what it is, but dissapointed, something that looked easy has now become a hassle..............any suggestions from any others who have tried this technique. Let me know. Anyway I better get up to the office and get the wages done. I have a great quiche recipe that I made yesterday that I will post later.

Anzac Day

2010-05-01T07:55:00.004+09:30

Now I know I should have posted this post on Anzac Day, but to tell you the
truth we were actually working all day and sort of lost that Anzac feel,which
I was feeling bad about, so late that afternoon I thought I would whip up
some Anzac biscuits to show I was remembering the Anzacs.

These biscuits are a real favourite in our house and the original recipe is a
Woman's Weekly recipe. I have made this recipe for many years and it doubles
and triples perfectly. I usually always double it and freeze some.

You need:

1 cup rolled oats
1 cup plain flour
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup coconut
125g butter
2 tablespoons golden syrup
1/2 teaspoon bi-carbonate soda
1 tablespoon boiling water

Combine oats, sifted flour, sugar and coconut. Combine butter and
golden syrup and stir over gentle heat until melted. (I just stick it
in the microwave until the butter is melted). Mix soda with boiling
water, add to melted butter mixture and stir through dry ingredients.
Now this is where I change the mixture I add about 2-3 tablespoons of water
extra, and just stir it through well, the mixture is a lot stickier
than usual, but I love my Anzacs chewy and not rock hard, and every
one seems to love them like this, they usually can't stop at one.
Take teaspoonfuls of mixture and place on lightly greased oven trays
allow room for spreading. Cook in a slow oven 20 mins. This is
where I do it different as well as I cook them in a mod-high oven
for about 5 to 10 mins just need to keep an eye on them and when
they turn golden they are ready.
I have been known to add crushed mixed nuts to the recipe as well.
Yum!

Universal Studios

2010-05-01T07:52:00.002+09:30

I have blogged about our trip here, but didn't realise if you put things in drafts to post,
they don't post the day you finish them, they post the day you did the draft so I now
have a new post that is a month or so ago in the posts if anyone is interested!

Gluten Free Mandarin Cake

2010-04-25T17:04:00.004+09:30

I am trying to make a few Gluten Free recipes and came across this cake over at the $120 Food Challenge blog and thought I would give it a go to cook for dessert tonight, Sandra said she originally heard it on ABC with Bill Granger, I just happened to pick some Mandarins up in Katherine the other day so as fruit doesn't last long in this house and sometimes it's a while before we get some more I thought I would try it. To tell you the truth I have about 5 pkts Almond Meal in my cupboard as these cake recipes keep calling me, so fingers crossed here I go!

Gluten Free Mandarin Cake

INGREDIENTS
3 mandarins; 250g (1 cup) caster sugar; 6 eggs; 230g (2 cups) ground almonds; 60g (1/4 cup) caster sugar, extra; zest of 2 oranges
METHOD
Put the mandarins in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 2 hours, adding water when necessary to keep the mandarins covered at all times.Preheat the oven to 160C.
Drain the mandarins and cool to room temperature. Once cooled, split them open with your hands and remove any seeds. Puree the mandarins, including the skins, in a food processor. Add the sugar and eggs and mix together until combined. Add the ground almonds to the mandarin purée and stir thoroughly.Pour the mixture into a well-greased 24cm (9 inch) springform cake tin and bake for 1 hour 10 minutes, or until the cake looks set in the middle, springs back when touched and comes away from the edges. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin.
While the cake is cooling, put the extra sugar in a saucepan with 60 ml (1/4 cup) of water over a low heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the orange zest and boil the mixture until it just starts to caramelise. Lift the zest out with a fork and cool it on a plate.
Serve the cake with caramelised citrus zest and a sprinkling of icing sugar.

I made this last Sunday and have been meaning to post it - it was beautiful!

I left the orange zest in the sugar syrup and then just put a sp0onful on top of each cake when I served it. This cake is VERY rich so you would only need a small slice each, and I would reccomend it for a dinner party.

A Good Friend Card

2010-04-06T08:00:00.002+09:30

A good Friend, this card looks better IRL, but I so wish I had't have cut
the tail off and just let it go over the edge of the card, I thought it was
a good idea at the time.

War On Debt Challenge

2010-04-06T07:10:00.003+09:30

OK here are some more. It is quite hard cause a lot of the things on the Simple Savings site I use now without even thinking of it, so I thought I would use a couple of them as my challenges even though I have been using them for awhile.

22. Break dishwasher tablets in half - really does not make a difference - still washes exactly the same.

23. Use 1/2 a scoop in the washing machine instead of a full one. On SS they only use a tablespoon and if I lived in town I would too, but out hereI still have to use a bit more as we get dirty................

24. Cancelled my email subscriptions to Kmart, Target, etc. catalogues as sometimes it is too hard to say no to some "things" I think I "need" when I see them. So don't get the catalogues - don't know about them!

25. Buying my washpowder by the bucket as so much cheaper. I buy it from places like Elders, or Landmark, but I have seen really good prices in Big W.

Only 6 more days of challenge to go.

Thank you card for the cook

2010-04-05T17:46:00.002+09:30

Judy the station cook was kind enough to feed the animals and water
my plants while we were up in Darwin for the conference. I made her
this card for Jay to give her. We have 2 pigs and 2 dogs as you can
see by the card. I had trouble getting a decent photo of this card.

Easter Treats

2010-04-05T16:16:00.009+09:30

As promised here are some of the easter treats I made for some friends
yesterday. The one above is showing from the top.

Side on. I used empty strawberry containers and made som little gift cards.

I filled them with a marshmellow egg each and some russian caramel that I made.

Russian Caramel

500 gms icing sugar

1 tin condensed milk

250gms butter

Mix all together until it changes colour and thickens. It takes quite a lot

of stirring but is well worth it. When the caramel starts coming away from

the pan it is ready. Put in a greased slice tin or instead of greased I use

Gladbake.

Trendy Trees

2010-04-05T13:00:00.005+09:30

I love this card. It looks a bit dull in this photo, but IRL the paper is quite
deep and vibrant. The DSP is DCWV and all other products are SU.

Close up of ribbon, button and twine. This is another that I made

at christmas with my sister.